Perennial Broward softball powers still loaded

Over the past three seasons, three Broward County schools have won two state championships each.

And although Pembroke Pines Charter, Plantation American Heritage and St. Thomas Aquinas are favorites to add a third this season in their respective classifications, they each have to replace valuable players in order to get the job done.

Pines Charter joined Heritage, Aquinas and Hollywood Christian as the only schools to win multiple state titles in county history.

Junior pitcher Claire Blount has been a part of three consecutive seasons in which the Jaguars have at least made it to the Class 6A state final. Blount is one of six starters returning for Pines Charter, which will try to make it four trips in a row.

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Blount hit .455 last year and saved her best for the playoffs, hitting .591 in those games.

She also struck out 181 batters and compiled an ERA of 0.54.

Blount leads a squad that must make up for the loss of All-County first-team infielder Courtney Dart and All-State catcher Jamie Gonzalez.

Senior first baseman Sophia Devesa also had a good postseason and should give the Jaguars the experience they need to navigate a tough schedule and potentially tough playoff road that will once again include rising Miami-Dade power Doral Academy.

TOUGH LOSSES

St. Thomas Aquinas, winners of back-to-back Class 7A titles, will face the biggest challenge among the county’s defending state champions.

The Raiders must replace seven starters including star pitcher Meghan King as well as catcher Gwen Svekis and shortstop Rachel Collins.

But Aquinas, which won last year’s BCAA Big 8 title with eight players out while attending their school prom, is used to defying the odds.

Senior Jill Healy, who hit the game-winning home run in that championship win over Cooper City, will start at shortstop. Juniors Brianna Stella, Brooke Stock and Thais Gonzalez will lead a strong infield, with Stella also playing sometimes in the outfield along with junior Sydney Barron.

Pitching will be the key as Stock and sophomore Olivia Saviskas hope to make up for the loss of King, who went 15-2 with 176 strikeouts and a 0.31 ERA a year ago.

STRONG PITCHING

American Heritage should have no problem dealing strikeouts again this season. The Patriots return their 1-2 pitching punch in junior Madison Canby and senior Jenna Goodrich as they hope to repeat, coming off last year’s dramatic Class 5A state championship run.

Heritage lost some pop in infielders Gianna Arrizurieta and Ashley Belans but hope junior Melissa Rini and sophomore Brooke Langston will fill in capably.

Cooper City, a longtime contender, might have what it takes to get back to state this season in Class 8A.

The Cowboys return sophomore pitcher Kara Lokeinsky (16-4, 0.64 ERA in 2014), who is considered one of the strongest in the state. Along with a talented core group, Cooper City should contend with Cypress Bay, West Broward, Miami Coral Reef and Miami Palmetto for a spot at state in Vero Beach.